The Strange Case of Empirical Airlines Flight 1023

News flash!!!! A jet airliner has mysteriously crashed with no survivors. According to the air traffic controllers the flight was proceeding as usual. The plane left Reagan international Airport on schedule and was due to arrive in Los AngelesAirport at 6:02 p.m. However, the plane fell off the radar somewhere in Avogado Memorial Forrest. You and your team of medical examiners have been called to the scene of the crash. The plane shows evidence of a pre-crash explosion. There is a bomb residue on many of the plane parts scattered over the crash area. The bomb residue has been analyzed with the following results: 37.01% carbon, 2.22% hydrogen, 18.5% nitrogen, and 42.27% oxygen. The victims are found in and around the crashed plane and must be identified by the substances found in their belongings or in their bodies since dental records are not available. Additionally, one passenger was murdered and the time of death has been established as one hour before the crash.

Your job is to…

  1. Identify compounds on the victims by using the data below to determine the empirical formulas of the compounds.
  2. Identify the victims using personal data and the compounds found with them.
  3. Explain why the plane exploded and who was most likely was responsible.
  4. Determine which two people were murdered and whowas most likely the murderer.

Chemical analysis by Dr. I. M. Kool

Victim # / Analysis of Compound (%) / Where found
1 / C= 67.31 H = 6.96 N = 4.62 O = 21.10 / Blood and Luggage
2 / C= 63.15 H = 5.30 O = 31.55
C= 46.66 H = 4.48 N = 31.10 O = 17.76 / Briefcase
Stomach
3 / C= 71.68 H = 6.94 N = 4.68 O = 16.03 / Pockets
4 / C= 15.87 H = 2.20 N = 18.15 O = 63.10 / Blood and pockets
5 / C= 75.42 H = 6.63 N = 8.38 O = 9.57
C= 37.01 H = 2.22 N = 18.50 O = 42.27 / Blood
Luggage
6 / C= 57.14 H = 6.16 N = 9.52 O = 27.18 / Briefcase
7 / C= 81.50 H = 7.50 N = 9.39 O = 2.68
C= 81.58 H = 8.90 N = 9.52 / Briefcase
Luggage
8 / C= 60.00 H = 4.48 O = 35.53
C= 63.56 H = 6.00 N = 9.27 O = 21.17
C = 73.96 H = 8.63 N = 17.36
C= 75.42 H = 6.63 N = 8.38 O = 9.57 / Pockets and Briefcase
Pockets and Briefcase
Briefcase
Briefcase
9 / C= 73.96 H = 8.63 N = 17.36 / Blood and Stomach
10 / C= 75.42 H = 6.63 N = 8.38 O = 9.57
C = 73.96 H = 8.63 N = 17.36 / Blood
Stomach

FBI agents Mole-der, Skulley working with Agent Dunham of the Fringe division have assisted in the investigation by interviewing friends, family and co-workers of the listed passengers. Results of their finding follow.Remember… THE TRUTH IS OUT THERE!!!!!!!

This assignment was originally developed by Karl Jones, NewmanSmithHigh School, Carrolton, TX.

Minor changes by Cynthia Smith, Klein Forest High School, Houston TX.

Empirical Airline Flight 1023

List of Passengers and Crew

Amadeo Aviator - a pilot with a heart condition

Curie Drugs - sales representative of Advil Company

Bohr Diet - Chemistry teacher “addicted” to sugar-free drinks

Kelvin Doughnut- baker, specializes in pastries shaped like famous scientist

Democritus “D” Victory-professional athlete suspended for a drug violation

Ruthy Ford-Recycle- electrical engineer, had been severely depressed lately due to canceled project

Ms. Honey Badger-Beaker - backstabbing “investigative” gossip reporter for a national engineering magazine

Mrs. Patricia K. Covalent– High School Principal accompanying Dalton home from a school trip

Dalton Molar - high school student who recently underwent emergency dental surgery

Norm Einstein- leader of a group called Mighty Order of Lavoisier Enthusiast, a suspected terrorist organization more commonly know as M.O.L.E. According to Mole-der and Skulley the group’s goal is to make everyone aware of the power of chemistry.

Name Formula Common Uses

Codeine…………….. C18H21NO3…………..Prescription painkiller, oftenused in dentistry

CocaineC17H21NO4Narcotic, illegalsubstance

Aspirin………………C9H8O4……………....Painkillerover the counter

AspartameC14H18N2O5artificial sweetener

Vanilla………………C8H8O3………………Flavoring used in baking

Trinitrotoluene C7H5N3O6TNT, explosive

Nicotine……………...C5H7N*……………. Narcotic, legalsubstance*empirical formula

Nitroglycerine C3H5N3O9 Explosive and heart medication

CurareC40H44N4OPoison

Thiobromine…………C7H8N4O2…………..Chocolate flavoring used in frosting on pastries

StrychnineC21H22N2O2Rat poisoning

Dimetacrine………….C10H13N*…………...Antidepressant, prescription, *empirical formula

Acetaminophen C8H9NO2Tylenol, non-prescription painkiller